How is the ETC toll calculated on highways now?

[McJeffrey]

Here are the ETC highway toll rules: 1. For ETC vehicles, the toll amount is first rounded using the "round down below 0.5" method (amounts with decimals below 0.5 are rounded down, while decimals equal to or above 0.5 remain unchanged), then a 5% discount is applied, and finally rounded to the nearest cent. MTC vehicles still follow the "round to nearest yuan" rule. 2. Before the adjustment of ETC vehicle billing rules, the toll amount was calculated by first rounding to the nearest cent, then applying a 5% discount and rounding to the nearest cent again. According to the adjusted billing rules, some ETC vehicle tolls are now calculated by first rounding down below 0.5, then applying a 5% discount and rounding to the nearest cent, resulting in slightly lower tolls compared to the previous rules. 3. Compared with MTC vehicles' "round to nearest yuan" method, ETC vehicles first use the "round down below 0.5" method, then apply a 5% discount and round to the nearest cent, making their tolls lower than MTC vehicles. This adjustment in billing rules solves the issue where ETC tolls on some local road sections were higher than manual toll collection when directly calculated to the nearest cent, further reducing travel costs for citizens on certain routes.

[Nate]

I often use ETC on highways, and the toll mainly depends on how far you drive and the type of vehicle. At the entrance, the system automatically scans your OBU device to record the starting point, and at the exit, the fee is calculated based on the distance. For small cars, it usually costs a few cents per kilometer. Last month, I drove from Shanghai to Nanjing, about 300 kilometers, and after the ETC discount, only 120 yuan was deducted because I had a 5% discount for linking my bank card. It’s usually much cheaper than manual toll collection. During peak hours or holidays, there are sometimes free activities, like during the Spring Festival when no fees were charged. Once the device is installed, everything is automatic, saving you from stopping and queuing. If the signal is unstable, the deduction might happen later, but there are rarely any errors. From daily use, ETC is quite reliable. I recommend everyone to install it—just remember to check your card balance regularly.

[SanEva]

As an experienced driver, I've noticed that the core of highway ETC tolling is based on distance and vehicle classification. After scanning the ETC tag at the entrance, the system starts tracking, and calculates fees based on actual mileage at the exit, with different rates for different vehicle types. Small cars are charged about 0.5 yuan per kilometer, while buses or trucks have higher rates. The cost is also affected by discounts, with many promotional policies currently available, such as a 5% discount when linking to specified bank cards, which can save a lot on long-distance trips. Normally, tolls are standard during off-peak hours, but holidays like National Day may offer free passage. From my experience, it's important to place the ETC device correctly, as weak signals may lead to incorrect charges, but overall efficiency is high, with ETC lanes being twice as fast as manual ones. Before driving, checking the route costs on the app can help avoid unfair charges.

[StLilah]

I often take my family on highways, and ETC tolls are simply charged based on distance. The device is scanned at the entrance, and the fee is automatically calculated at the exit—about 50 cents per kilometer for small cars, plus a base fee. The advantage is that banks offer discounts, saving costs. I save dozens of dollars every month by making several trips. Holidays are often free, like taking advantage of summer vacations for family trips. The device is convenient—no need to carry cash—but make sure the card has funds or is properly linked for payment. If overcharged, just call customer service to complain. Daily use requires keeping the tag clean to prevent signal loss issues.

[Giselle]

From the perspective of traffic policies, the current highway ETC toll system is quite flexible. The base rate is determined by vehicle type, with an additional mileage fee, such as 0.45-0.6 yuan per kilometer for small cars. After the government promoted digitalization, there are many discounts, including a 5% discount through bank partnerships, encouraging more people to use it. Free periods during holidays like Labor Day and the Spring Festival are also fixed. The high popularity of ETC devices and automated toll data uploads reduce manual errors. Personally, I find this policy reasonable as it helps save travel costs. Recently, there have been rumors about optimizing the algorithm, but overall it remains stable. It's safest to keep an eye on app notifications for any changes while driving.